Half Sisters - Episode 28 + Bonus Pinup

This is a really fun dynamic. No one is getting what they want and something has to give.

Jessica Thence

ok, that is new information

mdaily

All good points! Although Nikki only THOUGHT Zach was gay (and made fun of him for it). He didn't get confirmation until he was mostly through his transformation on Xu's island.

Emory Ahlberg

a couple of observations. Nikki did protect Zach to some degree, since his current teammates don't know that he is gay. his secret was not passed on. Also, he is apparently no longer no longer attracted to Nikki due to her new feminine appearance. Also, Nikki's key holder apparently knows how to strut in heels. Apparently, she has yet another coach available beyond he cheerleader ex girlfriend and her mom!

mdaily

Thank you so much, Nina!!! I hope you're healing well. 💖 I know Nikki is my own character and everything but I feel the same way as you do. She's both endearing and incredibly frustrating. Her insecurities and hang-ups have always been such an interesting part of her character - I never know if I should laugh at her, yell at her, or just give her a hug. Zach, Sandy, Nikki, and Jess could work so well together. I'm eager to see how their relationship develops and I hope that along the way, each of them can heal and become the best versions of themselves. 😊

Emory Ahlberg

Good catch, ckarya! But, yes, Zach knows that Sandy is Scott. Previously, Mrs. Ferris has indicated that what happened to Nikki was "inspiration" for her actions with Scott. Zach has also said that his father has business dealings with Mrs. Ferris.

Emory Ahlberg

You're not late, Maggie! You arrived precisely when you meant to! 😊 Nikki really is crazy beautiful. Do you ever think she'll be able to see that in herself? Sadly, she currently totally incapable of standing up to her dad. He definitely needs a table flip, that's for sure! Maybe this walk with Zach will give her some much-needed perspective...

Emory Ahlberg

Unfortunately for her, I think she'll be saying it a lot!

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you so much, ckarya. Yes, I also think Zach and Nikki have a lot to offer each other -- if only Nikki could get over herself. Part of the issue is that she doesn't want to make her circumstances more bearable, she just wants them to END. Hopefully, Zach will be able to help her see that they don't need to be enemies forever. Was Zach only kidding about cross-dressing? We'll see. 😊

Emory Ahlberg

Zach isn't a bad guy, no. But he's also not a good guy either. At least, not yet. He's too scared of his father to do the right thing. He and Nikki aren't so different, really.

Emory Ahlberg

Hopefully she will come to that realization soon. Right now, it seems like she's viewing Zach and Hutchinson as one "unit" -- sort of how she sees herself and her own father. 😉

Emory Ahlberg

😂 He certainly does -- although it seems like he never intends to take it off her!

Emory Ahlberg

She has to watch that girlish figure, after all. 😉

Emory Ahlberg

Yes, that certainly seems like the expectation that Hutchinson is making clear! 😱

Emory Ahlberg

Zach knows it's wrong, but it's hard not to get at least a little pleasure out of what has happened to Nick. We've only heard a few things about how awful he made Zach's life. And, apparently, he wasn't great to the rest of the team, either. Does that mean Nikki deserves this? No -- and Zach seems pretty committed to at least trying to make it as painless as possible. Zach has also said he thinks this is temporary and his father will eventually lose interest.

Emory Ahlberg

Nikki would like to have a word with you, Phil. 😉

Emory Ahlberg

Maybe they could be the next Bonnie and Clyde! Nikki would look wonderful in a gangster-inspired outfit. 😊

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you so much, Ella! ❤️ Season 2 will be a big one for Nikki. She’ll hopefully see a lot of growth… both in her mind and body. 😉

Emory Ahlberg

I hate her dad so much. I have to clench my fists as I’m write the stupid dialogue that comes out of his stupid face. Sadly, this isn’t the first time Nikki is seeing this side of him, either. It’s just that when he treated her this way before, she was only a kid. She put her body and her psyche through hell to escape all of that, and now here she is again… …and she’s of course blaming herself. ☹️

Emory Ahlberg

Yep! She IS a bit smaller. An adjustment will be needed pretty soon!

Emory Ahlberg

Thank you, Zoe and Alyson! Yeah, unfortunately Zach and Nikki seem to have won the shit lottery when it comes to fathers. Lucky for Nikki she still has her mom… I wonder where Zach’s is? 🤔 Alyson, you’re of course right about them helping each other. Zach at least seems like he wants to try… Of course, he DOES still have a certain key. 🔑😉

Emory Ahlberg

Sorry for interfering with your sleep, Sky! 🤣 But thank you so much for your comment. Big agree on everything you said about Nikki. As a character she both frustrates me and makes me feel terribly sad for her… I’m rooting for her continued growth along with you! There’s a resilient, beautiful, strong girl in there just waiting to break free of the toxic mold she’s been forced into.

Emory Ahlberg

One doubt that has gone unnoticed, Zach on page 4 says to Nikki: "did your friend sandy pass on my message to you?" and Nikki on 5 replies, "Scott did, yes. he also said you were a real piece of shit to him and Jessica Akin." Zach knew that Sandy is Scott....or has Nikki sinned with her big mouth?

ckarya

Finally reading this one after surgery, have to say i love the way you develop your characters!! Nikki has me so drawn in and I just want to see more as she grows! The way you design her is so pretty 🥹 and her struggles are so real. Beautiful, fantastic work Emory!! Can’t wait to see how her relationship with Zach develops as the two grow. I almost hope she grows her friend group with zach, her, sandy, and jess (i’m not sure if i remembered her name right, pain meds and all). Those four together is such a cute little found family trope i love it!!

Nina

Nikki saying sorry daddy is so perfect hnnmgh

Nikki is in a tough spot here. Her father is a poor role model, as he is a bastard. So is Mr Hutch. Her mother on the other hand is a sweetheart and a great role model for Nikki. I hope she has this realization at some point and heads back to her. I can’t wait to see the methods the father has to fight off the E fail lol. The next test should somehow read out to higher than last time! Almost like Dr Mason’s hormones take priority and actually work harder in the presence of T consumed from the steak and bull testicles. That would probably deal a blow to Nikki’s hope of fighting this. It’s clear that Zach doesn’t have an attraction to our girl and it leaves me wondering if we will get to see a love interest for Nikki. Would love to see a boy show interest and see her deal with the emotions of actually feeling the attraction as well.

Estacia

OMG I am sooo late... how this could happen??? First of all... my dear Nikki... beauty detectors near you are always fried well in matter of seconds... you're just... AHHH maybe someone, someday will be able to describe your beauty the way it deserves... I know that I can't... Secondly... page 13... Geeezzz Nikki... what the FFF... happened there... I expected 2 things from you (in random order) flipping that fucking table upside down and slapping your dad in a face but with the impression as if Chuck Norris had done it... and you came up with "sorry daddy"? seriously? I really do not want to say out loud that I'm disappointed... is your bad father intimidating you so much? And last one... Zach is your ally not your enemy.. repeat hundred times if you're so blind you can't see it... he is a GOOD GUY... he tries to like you... but his patience is not limitless "you stupid woman..." (greets to all who watched UK series "Allo Allo" ;) )

MaggieHeels

Friends, yes, but not a couple.

Andre

There's being punished and being tortured. Nikki being tortured.

Andre

I've said it before, I like Nikki and Zach's connection. Their relationship is a win-win for both of them. Both are now "gay" (Nikki with her new body, lesbian - hope you don't play me Em-😘) and both need a partner of the "other" sex to appear and socialize in public, more so considering where they live. And both have despicable parents to contend with. So even though they still have a lot of rough edges to iron out from their old Nick/Zach relationship, I think a Nikki/Zach relationship is going to be very beneficial for both of them, which will help them grow up and be able to stand up to their bastard parents. I was struck by this phrase from Zach: "I'll coach you. I have a fantastic strut, believe it or not". Has Zach been dabbling in cross-dressing, or is this just a joke? 🤔 It's hard to appreciate with the translation.

ckarya

Zach is not a bad guy. He is surrounded by jerks. I hope Nikki comes to realize that and realize that she is now a nicer person - she must have been horrible as Nick. I hoope that she accepts her situation and that she gets to like Zach and they become a couple.

Soupy Dog

I wish Nikki a very 'get away from her dad and back to her mom and unlearning all her toxic coping mechanisms'. Also the bit about zoning out during dinner...oh that's an all too familiar feeling...

Vyria Durav

I think it would be nice for Nikki to realize that Zach isn’t the main reason for her situation. And he is just doing the best he can with the hands he was dealt.

Emily Morgan

I think Nikki needs to be much nicer to Zach... after all... he has the key to her cage!

Bowie897

I like how the "men" have a steak and potato for dinner and Nikki is eating a salad!

Bowie897

i like so much the fact that Nikki will be taking charge of women chores... don't know why i found it so exciting !

Aurélie Trave

probably sad to say but I get where Zach's coming from; enjoying seeing a former bully get punished.

Jennifer

Would like to see some "action" between Nikki and Zach.

Phil G

Hoping Nikki and Zach run away together. Not as a couple (Nikki seems far too feminine for Zach's tastes if he is gay), but because their fathers are garbage.

Diana Bialaska Hansen

I definitely love how you develop your characters Emory! They are always so well built. And I really enjoy the new friendship possibility!

Ella Cherry

Nikki’s looking a little smaller in that cage time for a new one???

animalmusic

Ayup. The sooner Nikki realises that, the better.

Zoe Storm

I’m 100% on the Zach and Nikki friendship train. I think they could actually really help each other, if Nikki could get over herself! …To be fair to her, she *does* have a lot to get over.

Alyson Greaves

Oh my God I hate her dad so much. The way he flipped from seeing her as his son earlier in the day — no matter how much he was clearly forcing it — to treating her as a girl during the meal… And the *way* he treats women! You can see exactly where Nikki gets her worst tendencies from. The man’s a bastard.

Alyson Greaves

I stand by my assessment from last time: a pair of good kids, stuck with a pair of extremely shitty dads.

Zoe Storm

Well well well, who needs sleep at 4am? Nikki is currently the character of yours I'm the more interested in. I really want to see her grow, I want to see her accept herself, and I want to see her happy. And I really wanna see her dad rot in hell

Skye